Bush's target funds for Iraq will swell US budget deficit

[kayell]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20030908/ts_afp/us_iraq_afghanistan_bush_030908120006

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The additional 87 billion dollars US President George W. Bush (news - web sites) is seeking to finance military operations and reconstruction in Iraq (news - web sites) and Afghanistan (news - web sites) could push the country's budget deficit to a historic record, well beyond 500 billion dollars.


"Our strategy in Iraq will require new resources. We have conducted a thorough assessment of our military and reconstruction needs in Iraq and also in Afghanistan. I will soon submit to Congress a request for 87 billion dollars," Bush declared in a rare prime-time speech delivered from the White House late Sunday.


The administration gave no details of how it intended to finance the extra spending. But since Bush has made tax cuts a cornerstone of his attempts to revive the ailing US economy, he can hardly turn to US taxpayers to foot the bill.


He could try to skim funds for his war efforts from other parts of the budget. But it will be a difficult pill for the US public to swallow and an unlikely choice as the president heads into an election year.

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Yahoo, remember to rate it.

[MGKrebs]

1. All part of the plan...

Watch for reductions in Medicare/Medicaid, Welfare, and/or a raid on Social Security.

[underpants]

5. Yep that's the plan allright

Repubes frmly believe (but don't like to say it in the light of day) that national security (military spending) is the only responsibility of the Federal Govt.

Everything else should be under state control and therefore easier to manipulate.

"Well we have to cut something...." will be heard not to long from now.

[MaineDem]

2. "...will swell US budget deficit"

Ummm, no shit!!!

It's still the economy, stupid, and until people have living-wage jobs and are able to maintain a lifestyle this president should be held accountable. We can't let him get away with this.

Tax cuts with a "war" in progress doesn't sound to me like the most beneficial way to balance a budget.

If I ran my checking account like this...well, I can just imagine.

[Tripper11]

3. Here's the thing...IMHO

Bush keeps spending, and spending and spending....and it's not his "allowance" anymore. He has taken this country into record deficits. We all know this.

Here's the rub.

The Dems will get in in '04 (positive thinking always helps!) and they will have to raise taxes to pay for this idiot in chiefs squandering of record surpluses that Clinton gave him. The rethug will take these taxe increases and use them for '08 and beat down the Dems for raising taxes. Tax and spend Dems as it were.

These rethugs need to be stopped, in their tracks. The time for Mr. Nice Guy is over....call them on it, and don't back down.

Simple honesty on any Dems part is mandatory.

"We have to raise taxes(mostly for the rich) to get our infrastructure back on track after idiotboy screwed us all!!!"

[chiburb]

4. Red Ink Republicans...

"The Dems will get in in '04 (positive thinking always helps!) and they will have to raise taxes to pay for this idiot in chiefs squandering of record surpluses that Clinton gave him. The rethug will take these taxe increases and use them for '08 and beat down the Dems for raising taxes. Tax and spend Dems as it were."

The Dems will not have to raise taxes in '04, just repeal the breaks given to the top 1%, maybe the top 5%. Redeployment of current spending, say from Star Wars to education, can also help.

I agree with the rest of your post...

[Tripper11]

6. Cheers....I'll go with what you said then

It's just getting so damned extreme you know?

[Bandit]

7. Democrats have already said "Anything Bush* wants Bush* will get"

They just want him to ask nicely. Don't count on those currently in congress to help the cause. They have already sold their soul.